Prototype rent splitting functionality

[aidenszeto]

Background

We want to create functionality that sets us apart from the standard Airbnb model. Roommate matching is essentially a service where users can connect with other users who are booking the same listing as them (ideally when reservation dates overlap). This will allow users to split the cost of the reservation, tapping more into the GenZ/budget demographic.

Idea

We should first prototype our roommate matching functionality on Figma. This should include a page where users can search for other users directly and send a friend request to them, along with a tab in MyAccount where users can see their current friends and pending friend requests. Only public users should be searchable.

Additionally, on each individual listing page, we should have a section for "recommended roommates" that lists other people who have already booked the listing for the days the user has selected. Each recommended roommate can be sent a friend request and once a request is accepted, the contact information for each user will be made visible between both parties. In addition to the "recommended roommates" section, there should be a section displaying all of the user's friends where the user can book a listing with their friend.

Things to consider

• How should we display users? Should we group users by categories similar to the way we containerize listings? Or should we have a section under each listing that shows other users who are interested in booking the listing?
• Search functionality: Only public users should be able to be found through search.
• Contact between roommates: For now, we should just provide users with the contact information of their roommates if they match. This will allow users to contact their roommates externally, while we only manage the matching.

[aidenszeto]

UPDATE:

User flow

Use case: User 1 and User 2 want to rent split using the Nomad platform

• User 1 searches User 2 up on the friends search component in MyAccount via email. User 1 sends User 2 a friend request
• User 2 receives an email with a link to accept the friend request. User 2 will see the friend request in MyAccount, along with options to accept or reject the request
• User 1 (or User 2) navigates to the listing they would like to book and selects the dates of their joint reservation
• After selecting "Book Now", a modal pops up with the option to add roommates. The modal displays a list of User 1's friends.
• User 1 selects User 2 on the roommate selection modal and selects "continue"
• Instead of being redirected to Stripe (this would happen if no roommates were selected), User 2 receives another email indicating that they have been added to User 1's group for rent splitting. User 2 has the option to accept this request in MyAccount
• Once this request is approved, both parties have the option to pay via Stripe - the price for each user will correspond to the listing price and the number of parties splitting the rent